Checkered Love

Pining Unknown

It's Tuesday, and it's race week in Bahrain. There are a lot of things happening. You and Lucy arrive at the track and agree to meet up for lunch.

You spend the day taking care of Carlos' affairs, and on your way to meet Lucy for lunch, you bump into Isa. Your annoyance at seeing her is real! She seems just as displeased at seeing you, and it shows on her face. 

"Y/n, thanks for arranging the date... I mean... interview last week. It went great, and I got a lot of material", she says, with a smug grin on her face.

You give a slight frown and then say, "You're welcome! Let me know if you need anything else. Please excuse me."

You see Carlos approaching her from behind and pulling her to him, planting a kiss on her neck. You don't know why, but you're immediately irked and briskly say, "See you guys later."

You get a table at the Ferrari canteen, and moments later, Lucy comes through the door.

She throws shade toward Isa and Carlos and says to you, putting her handbag down, "I saw that!"

"Well hello to you too!" You tease jokingly.

Lucy gives an audible sigh. "So now he's officially off the market...is it Facebook-legal yet?"

"I don't manage his social media accounts Lucy so I don't know", you say slightly irritated. "I don't know what it is, but I don't like her...I have a bad feeling."

Lucy shakes her head at you, chomping away at her French fries, "It's as clear as day, the only person who doesn't see it yet...is you and if you let it slip for much longer you are going to regret it."

"What are you on about Luce?", you asked as you frown at her.

"Babe, you have the hots for Sainz and him for you! Even his friends can see it!"

You just jokingly shake your head at her. "He is my boss."

 "But...", she tries to wail in protest.

You decide it's now or never to change the subject as it's making you feel very uncomfortable. "Drop it Lucy", you jokingly say "Or you're on laundry duty for the next six races for exceeding track limits."

Lucy, never one to back off, always has a cheeky response when she sees you are starting to squirm in your chair. "You mean Sainz limits? Sainz has hard limits?".

Checking the time on your watch, you decide it's the perfect time to excuse yourself. "I can't hear you" as you laugh and leave her at the table.

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The rest of the week goes by pretty uneventful, and before you know it, it's Saturday and it's qualifying time. You are still on the clock you so you decide to head to the garage to see if Carlos needs anything ahead of the quali session.

You grab your shades, his kit and head to the garage. As usual the paddock is very busy. Along the way you bump into Charles. He breaks out in a big smile when he sees you and gives you a big hug. "Y/n! Are you joining us in the garage today?" 

You return the smile. "Absolutely...best seat in the house...anything to support the Ferrari boys." You talk for a few minutes more and then Charles excuses himself. "Carlos should be at the garage already, waiting for you," and he gives you a cheeky wink. 

"Thanks dude, good luck to you today." And you see him off with a fist bump.

You turn around so hastily, you never saw him come around the corner and bump full on into Carlos's chest. He grabs onto your arms to steady you as his kit bag and your iPad drops to the floor. For a moment you two stare at each other, breathless.